2025 Compare Cities Education:
Chicago, IL vs Decatur, AL

Change Cities
Highlights
- Decatur spends 45.0% less per student than Chicago.
- The Student Teacher Ratio is 27.4% higher in Decatur than in Chicago. (lower means fewer students in each classroom).
- Decatur had 3.0% fewer residents who had graduated High School compared to Chicago
 Chicago, ILDecatur, ALUnited States
 Expend. per Student  Unlock$12,058$15,905
 Educ. Expend. per Student$18,508  Unlock$13,142
 Instr. Expend. per Student  Unlock$6,441$7,999
 Pupil/Teacher Ratio13.97  Unlock16.23
 Students per Librarian  Unlock4794573
 Students per Counselor481  Unlock530
 Grade School Educ.  Unlock7.1%4.8%
 Some High School Educ.6.8%  Unlock6.3%
 High School Educ.  Unlock83.7%88.9%
 Some College Educ.17.0%  Unlock20.0%
 2 yr College Grad.  Unlock8.9%8.7%
 4 yr College Grad.41.7%  Unlock33.7%
 Masters Grad.  Unlock5.3%9.3%
 Professional Degree3.6%  Unlock2.2%
 Doctorate Degree  Unlock0.8%1.5%
Reviews for Chicago    270 Reviews

I've lived in Chicago city and later moved to suburbs when family size increased. Absolutely love this city. This is the cleanest and most beautiful among the major  More

   |    Reply

Chicago is probably the best value in a major city that you can find and my personal favorite city. It will become increasingly important as climate change makes the  More

   |    Reply

I've live on north side and south side, UIC medical center. Don't move here go to the north side. No good amenities, if you get bored with one there is no other choices.  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Chicago

Reviews for Decatur    12 Reviews

Over 4 years ago

I moved to Decatur from Huntsville about 6 months ago. I love it! Traffic is mostly light, even at rush hour. You have enough shopping amenities here you rarely have to  More

   |    Reply

Over 4 years ago

I moved to Decatur three months ago from Huntsville and I am very satisfied with the city. Decatur boasts many amenities: on the river, surrounded on two sides by  More

   |    Reply

Over 6 years ago

I moved to Decatur from Huntsville a little over a year ago. I'm just not a big fan for a few reasons. #1 Brownsferry Nuclear Power Plant is exactly 10.43 miles from my  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Decatur


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.